HK1116322A - Image apparatus, continuours imaging method, and recording medium for recording a program - Google Patents

Abstract

When a continuous imaging mode is set, a screen is displayed for allowing the input of a number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images (S1), a determination is made as to whether or not the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been inputted by the user (S2). When the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been inputted, the inputted number of images and the imaging parameters are stored (S3), and a direct image display is started (S4). Moreover, when there is an imaging instruction (S5, Yes), a continuous imaging process is started in which still imaging is performed continuously based on the stored number of images and the imaging parameters (S6). When the continuous imaging process has been completed (S7, Yes), the plurality of still image data, obtained with differing imaging parameters, is recorded.

Description

Image pickup apparatus, continuous image pickup method, and storage medium storing program

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a continuous shooting method, and a storage medium storing a program, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus having a continuous shooting function of continuously performing still image shooting, a continuous shooting method, and a storage medium storing a program.

Background

Conventionally, there is known an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera having an automatic demarcation (automatic demarcation exposure) function of continuously performing imaging in each stage while changing the setting value of a specific imaging parameter such as an exposure value in stages, as disclosed in unexamined japanese patent application publication No. JP 2005-354165.

However, in the automatic borderline exposure (blacking) function, since the imaging parameters that change during imaging are limited to only specific imaging parameters such as the exposure value, the change in image quality between a plurality of images obtained as a result of imaging is merely a monotonous change based on this change. Thus, for example, when a user desires to obtain a plurality of images having various image qualities, there is a problem that the user cannot respond to such a request.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus, a continuous shooting method, and a storage medium storing a program, which can greatly improve the use skill in the case of the delimiting shooting.

In order to achieve the above object, the camera of the 1 st aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

an imaging device means for imaging an object;

a continuous shooting control means for controlling the image pickup means to perform a plurality of still image shots at different times;

a setting unit configured to set respective shooting conditions for shooting the still images;

a recording mechanism that records image data;

a recording control mechanism which controls as follows: the recording means controls the still image photographing means to perform still image photographing at different timings by controlling the continuous shooting control means;

the continuous shooting control means performs still image shooting a plurality of times at different timings based on the respective different shooting conditions set by the setting means.

The continuous shooting method according to claim 2 of the present invention includes:

a setting step of setting shooting conditions for a plurality of still image shots, respectively;

a continuous shooting control step of performing still image shooting a plurality of times at different times based on the respective different shooting conditions set in the setting step;

a recording control step of recording each image data obtained by each still image photographing performed at different timings in the continuous shooting control step.

A storage medium storing a program according to claim 3 of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer included in an imaging apparatus including imaging means for imaging a subject and recording means for recording image data to function as: a setting unit that sets a plurality of imaging conditions for imaging the subject by the imaging unit; a continuous shooting control mechanism which controls the following modes: the camera shooting mechanism carries out a plurality of times of still image shooting at different times according to different shooting conditions set by the setting mechanism; a recording control mechanism which controls as follows: that is, the recording means records the image data obtained by the still image photographing performed by the image pickup means at a different timing from the continuous shooting control means.

An image pickup apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

an image pickup mechanism for picking up an image of an object;

a condition recording unit that records a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance;

a single-shot control unit for controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording unit;

a selection unit configured to select a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes;

a forming unit configured to form a plurality of new imaging conditions based on a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging scenes selected by the selecting unit;

a continuous shooting control unit for controlling continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed by the forming unit;

and an image storage control unit that records a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

A continuous shooting method according to claim 5 of the present invention is a continuous shooting method for an imaging apparatus including an imaging means for imaging a subject and a condition recording means for recording a plurality of shooting conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of shooting scenes registered in advance, the method including:

a single-shot control step of controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording means;

a selection step of selecting a plurality of photographic scenes from the plurality of photographic scenes;

a forming step of forming a plurality of new photographing conditions based on a plurality of photographing conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of photographing scenes selected in the selecting step;

a continuous shooting control step of controlling continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed in the forming step;

and an image storage control step of controlling recording of the still image obtained by the imaging means at the time of the single-shot shooting in the single-shot control step and the plurality of still images obtained by the imaging means at the time of the continuous shooting in the continuous shooting control step.

A storage medium storing a program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer provided in an imaging apparatus, the computer including imaging means for imaging a subject, condition recording means for recording a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance, and selection means for selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes, to function as: namely, it is

A single-shot control unit for controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording unit;

a forming unit configured to form a plurality of new imaging conditions based on a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging scenes selected by the selecting unit;

a continuous shooting control unit that controls continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed by the forming unit;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

An imaging apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

an image pickup mechanism for picking up an image of an object;

a condition recording means for recording 1 st and 2 nd imaging conditions corresponding to imaging scenes in a plurality of sets;

a selection control means for allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of shooting scenes;

a single-shot control unit configured to control single-shot shooting based on a 1 st shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user by the selection control unit, the single-shot shooting condition being recorded in the condition recording unit;

a continuous shooting control unit that controls the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user by the selection control unit, which is stored in the condition recording unit;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during boundary shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

A continuous shooting method according to an 8 th aspect of the present invention is a continuous shooting method for an imaging apparatus including an imaging device for imaging a subject and a condition recording device for recording 1 st and 2 nd shooting conditions corresponding to a shooting scene in a plurality of sets, the method including:

a selection control step in which a user selects an arbitrary photographic scene from a plurality of photographic scenes;

a single-shot control step of controlling single-shot shooting based on a 1 st shooting condition recorded in the condition recording means and corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user in the selection control step;

a continuous shooting control step of controlling the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition recorded in the condition recording means and corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user in the selection control step;

and an image storage control step of controlling recording of the still image obtained by the imaging means at the time of the single-shot shooting in the single-shot control step and the plurality of still images obtained by the imaging means at the time of the delimiting shooting in the continuous shooting control step.

A storage medium storing a program according to a 9 th aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer included in an imaging apparatus including imaging means for imaging a subject and condition recording means for recording 1 st and 2 nd imaging conditions corresponding to imaging scenes in a plurality of sets to function as:

a single-shot control means for controlling single-shot shooting based on the 1 st shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user stored in the condition recording means;

a continuous shooting control means for controlling the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user stored in the condition recording means;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during boundary shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

Drawings

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3A shows imaging condition data of each imaging scene recorded in the memory of fig. 1, fig. 3B shows additional information data of each imaging scene recorded in the memory of fig. 1, and fig. 3C shows a state when the imaging scene is displayed.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing stored data of the internal memory.

Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the selection restriction data.

Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of group data.

Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of scene discrimination data.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital camera according to embodiment 4 in the optimum shooting mode.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating single-shot imaging processing in the optimum imaging mode.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a manual selection process when the continuous shooting function is selected for use in accordance with the optimum shooting mode.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a group selection process when the continuous shooting function is selected for use in accordance with the best shooting mode.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an automatic selection process when the continuous shooting function is selected for use in accordance with the optimum shooting mode.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing operation contents in the case where the manual selection process is performed.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing operation contents in the case of performing the group selection processing.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation when the continuous shooting function is selected for use in accordance with the optimal shooting mode in embodiment 5.

Fig. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of imaging conditions corresponding to a basic scene and a related scene, imaging conditions formed, and imaging conditions used in continuous imaging.

Fig. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing the content of the delimiting data according to embodiment 6.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation when the continuous shooting function is selected for use in accordance with the optimal shooting mode in embodiment 6.

Detailed Description

Next, with reference to the drawings, an example in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is used in a digital camera will be described in detail with respect to the present embodiment.

(embodiment 1)

Structure of digital camera

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of a digital camera 1.

A digital camera 1, comprising: the photographing lens 2, the lens driving block 3, the CCD4, the driver 5, the TG6(timing generator), the unit circuit 7, the image generating section 8, the CPU9, the key input section 10, the memory 11, the DRAM12, the FLASH memory 13, the image display section 14, and the bus 15.

The photographing lens 2 includes a focus lens and a zoom lens, not shown, and is connected to a lens driving block 3. The lens driving block 3 is constituted by a focus motor and a zoom motor for driving a focus lens and a zoom lens, not shown, in the optical axis direction, respectively, and a focus motor driver and a zoom motor driver for driving the focus motor and the zoom motor in the optical axis direction, respectively, in accordance with control signals from the CPU 9.

The CCD4 (image pickup device) is driven by the driver 5, and photoelectrically converts the intensity of each color light of RGB values of the subject image at a constant cycle, and outputs the result to the cell circuit 7 as an image pickup signal. The operation timings of the driver 5 and the unit circuit 7 are controlled by the CPU9 via the TG 6. The CCD4 has a color filter of bayer (ベイャ -class) arrangement, and also has a function as an electronic shutter. The shutter speed of the electronic shutter is controlled by the CPU9 via the driver 5 and TG 6.

The cell circuit 7 is configured by a cds (correlated Double sampling) circuit to which TG6 is connected and which holds an image pickup signal output from the CCD4 in a correlated Double sample manner, an agc (automatic Gain control) circuit which performs automatic Gain adjustment of the image pickup signal after sampling, and an a/D converter which converts the analog image pickup signal after automatic Gain adjustment into a digital signal, and the image pickup signal output from the CCD4 is supplied to the image generating section 8 as a digital signal via the cell circuit 7.

The image generating unit 8 performs processing such as γ correction processing and white balance processing on the image data sent from the unit circuit 7, generates a luminance color difference signal (YUV data), and sends the generated image data of the luminance color difference signal to the CPU 9. That is, the image generating unit 8 performs image processing on the image data output from the CCD 4.

The CPU9 is a single-chip microcomputer having a function of recording image data sent from the image generating section 8 and controlling each section of the digital camera 1.

In particular, the CPU9 has at least: a function of capturing an image of the moving image using the CCD4 and displaying the obtained moving image on the image display unit 14 (through display control means); a function of continuously performing still image shooting using the CCD4 (continuous shooting control means); a function (setting means) for setting a shooting condition for each shooting of the continuous shooting; a function (recording control means) of recording each image data obtained by the continuous shooting in the FLASH memory 13.

The key input unit 10 (input means, selection means) includes a plurality of operation keys such as a power on/off key, a mode switching key, a shutter button, a cross key, a setting key, a transmission key, a deletion key, and a cancel key, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a key operation by the user to the CPU 9.

The memory 11 stores a control program and necessary data necessary for the CPU9 to control each unit, and the CPU9 operates in accordance with the program.

The DRAM12 functions as a buffer 11 that temporarily stores image data transferred to the CPU9 after being imaged by the CCD4, and as a work memory 11 of the CPU 9.

The FLASH memory (フラッシュメモリ)13 is a recording medium that stores compressed image data.

The image display unit 14 includes a color LCD and a driving circuit thereof, and displays the subject imaged by the CCD4 as a through (through) image when in a standby state for shooting, and displays a moving image of the subject imaged by the CCD4 when shooting a moving image. When still image shooting processing is performed during moving image shooting, a still image shot with moving images is displayed.

Operation of the digital camera 1

Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 2.

If the continuous shooting mode is set by the user' S operation of the mode switching key, the CPU9 displays a screen for inputting the number of shots and shooting conditions for each of the shots on the image display unit 14 (step S1).

Here, the photographing conditions are conditions in which photographing parameters such as focus control, shutter speed, aperture, EV shift (shift) amount, sensitivity, filters, White Balance (WB), color emphasis, and the like are integrated, and a screen for inputting the photographing parameters of each sheet is displayed.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the input of the number of images taken and the imaging conditions for each image is completed (step S2).

Here, the user can input the number of shots by operating a cross key or the like while viewing the screen displayed in step S1, and can input a shooting condition that is considered to be suitable for the current shooting situation for each shot. That is, a plurality of types of imaging conditions that are considered to be suitable for the current imaging situation can be input. For example, when the number of images to be taken is input to 3, the image taking conditions for each image are input as the 1 st image taking condition, the 2 nd image taking condition, and the 3 rd image taking condition, and if it is considered that the input of the number of images and the image taking conditions for each image is completed, the user operates the setting key.

It is considered that the number of imaging conditions suitable for the current imaging situation is not necessarily 1, and if no imaging is actually performed, it is unknown which imaging condition is the best.

When determining that the operation signal corresponding to the operation of the setting key is sent from the key input unit 10, the CPU9 determines that the input of the number of images to be taken and the imaging conditions for each image has been completed.

It is obvious that the values of the input imaging parameters may be directly input, or "automatic" may be selected without inputting the values. In the case where "auto" is selected, the CPU9 determines that automatic photographing parameters are automatically input at the time of photographing. The determination determines the imaging parameters from the image data captured before imaging.

If it is determined that the number of shots and the input of the shooting conditions for each of the shots are not completed (S2: NO), the CPU9 repeats the process of step S2 until it is determined that the process is completed.

If it is determined that the number of shots and the shooting conditions for each of the shots have been input (S2: YES), the CPU9 stores the number of input shots and the shooting conditions for each of the shots in a shooting condition storage area of a buffer (DRAM12) (step S3 (setting means)), that is, sets the input shooting conditions for a plurality of modes as the shooting conditions for each of the shots in the continuous shooting.

Next, the CPU9 starts image capturing by the CCD4 at a predetermined frame rate, stores image data of the luminance/color difference signals sequentially output from the CCD4 and sequentially formed by the image generator 8 in a buffer, and starts so-called through image display in which the stored image data is displayed in the image generator 14 (step S4) (through control means).

Then, the CPU9 determines whether or not the user gives an instruction to photograph (step S5).

The CPU9 determines whether or not a photographing instruction has been given, based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the pressing of the shutter button has been sent from the key input unit 10.

If it is determined that the photographing instruction is not given (S5: NO), the CPU9 repeats the process of step S5 until the photographing instruction is given.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the photographing instruction has been issued (S5: YES), the CPU9 starts the continuous photographing process (step S6) based on the number of photographs and the photographing conditions of each of the photographs stored in step S3 (continuous photographing control means).

Specifically, when the number of shots is stored as, for example, 3, the following continuous shooting process is started: that is, the still image photographing process is performed under the stored photographing condition of the 1 st image, then the still image photographing process is performed under the stored photographing condition of the 2 nd image, and then the still image photographing process is performed under the stored photographing condition of the 3 rd image. The still image data obtained by the photographing process is sequentially stored in a buffer memory. That is, still image shooting processing is performed under each of the input plurality of types of shooting conditions.

In addition, when the imaging parameter is set to "automatic", the imaging parameter is determined based on image data captured when an imaging instruction is given in proximity.

If the continuous shooting process is started, the CPU9 determines whether the continuous shooting process is ended (step S7).

If it is determined that the continuous shooting process is not ended (S7: NO), the CPU9 repeats the process of step S7 until the continuous shooting process is ended.

If it is judged that the continuous shooting process is ended (S7: yes), the CPU9 records each still image data obtained by the continuous shooting process in the FLASH memory 13 (step S8) (recording control means). Thus, images photographed under a plurality of photographing conditions that are considered to be suitable for the photographing situation can be recorded, and images desired by the user can be obtained.

As described above, in embodiment 1, the user inputs a plurality of types of imaging conditions that are considered to be suitable for the current imaging situation, and still image imaging processing is continuously performed based on the input plurality of types of imaging conditions, so that an image desired by the user can be obtained based on a plurality of pieces of still image data that have been obtained. That is, when only 1 shooting condition suitable for the current shooting situation is input and still image shooting is performed, it is necessary to newly shoot the still image data when the obtained still image data is not an image desired by the user (when the image is failed), and it is impossible to cope with the case where re-shooting is not effective. However, according to embodiment 1, several imaging conditions that are considered to be suitable for the current imaging situation are input, and the user can easily obtain a plurality of desired candidate images and select a desired image from the candidate images by performing the continuous imaging processing under the plurality of input imaging conditions.

In addition, the above-described embodiment 1 may be a modified example described below.

Although the imaging conditions are input at the time of continuous imaging, the imaging conditions of a plurality of input continuous imaging patterns (パタ - ン) may be recorded as 1 set in the memory 11. Note that the imaging conditions of a plurality of patterns are recorded in the memory 11 as 1 group in advance, and if this group is selected, continuous imaging may be performed under the imaging conditions of a plurality of patterns belonging to this group.

At this time, the user can also arbitrarily input the name of the group name. For example, by inputting the name of a group such as "night shooting" in association with a group of shooting conditions corresponding to night shooting, it is possible to continuously shoot under each shooting condition corresponding to night shooting by selecting the group of "night shooting" in the case of shooting at night in the future. This saves time for inputting a plurality of types of shooting conditions each time continuous shooting is performed.

In addition, the imaging parameters of the imaging conditions belonging to the recorded group may also be changed.

(embodiment 2)

In embodiment 1, the user sets each shooting condition by inputting each shooting parameter, and the digital camera 1 performs continuous shooting based on each shooting condition. However, in embodiment 2, the user may arbitrarily select a plurality of shooting scenes corresponding to shooting conditions having shooting parameters predetermined in accordance with the shooting subjects, and the digital camera 1 may continuously shoot under shooting conditions corresponding to the selected shooting scenes.

The configuration of the digital camera according to embodiment 2 is the same as that of the digital camera 1 according to embodiment 1.

However, in the memory 11, photographing condition data 103 including photographing conditions (shutter speed, aperture, color emphasis, and the like) corresponding to photographing scenes, and additional information data 104 including titles of the respective photographing scenes, descriptions thereof, and sample image data are stored in advance. Further, each shooting scene is assigned a number, and the shooting scenes are displayed in the order of the number.

Fig. 3A shows the contents of the photographing condition data 103. Imaging parameters such as shutter speed, aperture, EV shift amount (shift), and color emphasis are recorded for each number of each imaging scene.

Fig. 3B shows the content of the additional information data 104. A title indicating the contents of the shooting scene of "shooting person" is recorded for each number of the shooting scene, and "color emphasis is set to skin color" is recorded for each number of the shooting scene. If it is the telephoto side, the background completely obscures "the description of such a photographic scene and the sample image data.

By viewing the title, description, and sample image of the imaging scene, the user can select a plurality of (candidate) imaging scenes that are considered to be suitable for the current imaging situation, and can continuously image under imaging conditions corresponding to the selected plurality of imaging scenes.

The diagram shown in fig. 3C is a screen when the shooting scene recorded in the memory 11 is displayed on the image display unit 14.

As shown in fig. 3C, a sample image, a scene title, and an explanation are shown.

For this specific display, a part of the additional information data 104 read out from the memory in accordance with the selected shooting scene (number) is displayed. The upper right digit is the number of the currently displayed photographic scene.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 11 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 4.

If the continuous shooting mode is set by the operation of the mode switching key by the user, the CPU9 selects the first shooting scene (shooting scene numbered 1) among the shooting scenes recorded in the memory 11, and displays the selected shooting scene (step S11).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the cross key has been operated (step S12). At this time, the CPU9 determines whether the operation of the cross key is performed, based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the cross key is transmitted from the key input unit 10.

If the cross key is operated (S12: yes), the CPU9 newly selects a shooting scene in accordance with the operation, displays the selected shooting scene (step S13), and proceeds to step S14 to perform processing. That is, the selected displayed photographic scene is changed. For example, if the "↓" key of the cross key is operated in a state where the photographing scene of the number 2 is selected, the photographing scene of the number 3 is newly selected and displayed, whereas if the "↓" key of the cross key is operated in a state where the photographing scene of the number 2 is selected, the photographing scene of the number 1 is selected and displayed.

Further, when the "↓" key of the cross key is operated when the last number is selected, or when the "↓" key of the cross key is operated when the photographing scene of the first number (number 1) is selected, since there is no next number corresponding to the operation, the next number corresponding to the operation may be selected and displayed without changing the selection display, or the first number and the last number may be continued. That is, when the last-numbered photographing scene is selected, if the "↓" key of the cross key is operated, the first-numbered photographing scene is selected and displayed, and when the first-numbered photographing scene is selected, the "↓" key of the cross key is operated, the last-numbered photographing scene is selected and displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation of the cross key is not performed (S12: no), the CPU9 proceeds to step S14 to perform processing.

In step S14, the CPU9 determines whether the set key is pressed. This determination is made by: that is, whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the pressing of the set key is transmitted from the key input section 10. Here, the SET key is pressed to select a desired imaging scene.

If the pressing operation of the set key is not performed (S14: NO), the CPU9 returns to step S12 to perform processing.

If it is determined that the pressing operation of the set key is performed (yes at S14), the CPU9 proceeds to step S15 to perform processing.

The CPU9 stores the number of the currently selected photographic scene in the buffer (step S15). In other words, the selection of the shooting scene to be shot can be determined by pressing the set key.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not a pressing operation for pressing the set key for a long time has been performed (step S16). This determination is made by: that is, the operation signal corresponding to the pressing of the set key indicates whether or not the operation signal from the pressing to the release of the pressing is transmitted over a predetermined time.

If it is determined that the set key is not pressed long (S16: NO), the CPU9 returns to step S12 to perform processing.

That is, before the setting key is pressed for a long time, the user can arbitrarily select a plurality of shooting scenes that are considered to be suitable for the current shooting situation, and can change the selection. For example, in a case where the current photographing state is considered to belong to a plurality of photographing scenes (for example, "night scenes", "fireworks", etc.) or is considered to be similar scenes, a plurality of the scenes or the similar scenes may be selected.

In addition, the number of shots to be taken by the continuous shooting process is determined in accordance with the number of selected shooting scenes.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the set key is pressed long (S16: yes), the CPU9 reads out the shooting conditions corresponding to the numbers of all the currently selected shooting scenes from the shooting condition data 103 in the memory 11, stores them in the shooting condition storage area of the buffer, and also stores the number of the selected shooting scenes (step S17) (setting means). In other words, the shooting conditions of the selected plurality of shooting scenes are set as the shooting conditions of each shooting in the continuous shooting. The number of stored shooting scenes is the number of times (number of sheets) that the user has shot by continuous shooting as it is.

When the shooting conditions of the shooting scene are stored, the number of the shooting scene and the shooting conditions are recorded in association with each other.

Next, the CPU9 starts a process of capturing an image of the subject by the CCD4 and displaying a through image of the subject (step S18).

If the through image display is started, the CPU9 determines whether or not an instruction for photographing is given by the user (step S19).

If it is determined that no instruction for photographing is given (S19: NO), the CPU9 repeats the processing of step S19 until an instruction for photographing is given.

If it is determined that an instruction to take a picture is given (S19: YES), the CPU9 starts the continuous shooting process based on the number of shots (number of times) and shooting conditions for each shot (each) stored in step S17 (step S20).

Specifically, the processing of performing the continuous shooting processing under the shooting conditions of the respective shooting scenes is started in order of the shooting scene numbers in such a manner that the still image shooting processing is performed under the shooting condition of the smallest shooting scene number among the shooting scene numbers (shooting scene numbers) associated with the respective shooting scenes stored in the shooting condition storage area, and then the still image shooting processing is performed under the shooting condition of the next smaller shooting scene number. That is, the still image photographing process is performed under the photographing conditions of the selected plurality of photographing scenes.

Further, the continuous shooting process may be performed in the order of the larger shooting scene number. The continuous shooting process may also be performed in the order in which the user selects the shooting scenes. The number of the shooting scene may be arbitrarily selected and the continuous shooting process may be performed.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the continuous shooting process is ended (step S21).

If it is determined that the continuous shooting process is not ended (S21: NO), the process of step S21 is repeated until the process is ended.

If it is determined that the continuous shooting process ends (S21: YES), the CPU9 records a plurality of pieces of still image data obtained by the continuous shooting process in the FLASH memory 13 (step S21).

At this time, photographic scene information (for example, the number of photographic scenes, the title of photographic scenes, and the like) indicating which photographic scene is to be photographed is recorded in the recorded image data so as to be correlated with each other.

As described above, in embodiment 2, the user selects a plurality of imaging scenes that are considered to be suitable for the current imaging situation, and performs the continuous imaging processing based on the selected plurality of imaging scenes, whereby the user can more easily obtain a plurality of desired candidate images and select a desired image from among the candidate images.

(embodiment 3)

Embodiment 3 will be explained below.

Although the user selects a shooting scene in embodiment 2, the digital camera 1 may automatically select a plurality of shooting scenes in accordance with the current shooting situation (current shooting environment) in embodiment 3.

Operation of the digital camera 1

The digital camera according to embodiment 3 also has the same configuration as that of embodiment 1.

However, as in embodiment 2, the memory 11 stores in advance: photographing condition data 103 including photographing conditions corresponding to photographing scenes, and additional information data 104 including titles of the respective photographing scenes, descriptions thereof, and sample image data.

In embodiment 3, the CPU9 has a process (detection means) for detecting a photographing situation such as the brightness of a subject, the color tone (color and smell) of the subject, and the amount of movement of the subject based on the image data currently captured.

The luminance of the subject is detected from the luminance component of the image data, the color of the subject is detected from the color component of each color in R, G, B of the image data, and the amount of movement of the subject is detected by calculating a motion vector or the like.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 according to embodiment 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 5.

If the continuous shooting mode is set by the operation of the mode switching key of the key input section 10 by the user, the CPU9 starts a process of imaging the subject by the CCD4 and displaying a through image of the imaged subject (step S31).

Next, the CPU9 detects the shooting status from the newly (directly) captured image data (step S32) (detection means). Here, the luminance of the subject is detected from the luminance component of the image data captured by the CCD4, the color of the subject is detected from each color component of R, G, B of the image data, or a motion vector is detected from the image data.

Then, the CPU9 automatically selects a shooting scene close to the detected shooting situation (step S33) (automatic selection means). The selected photographic scene number is stored in a buffer. In addition, in the case of storing, writing is performed for storing.

More specifically, the CPU9 determines the shooting conditions such as the brightness, hue, and motion vector pattern detected in step S32 and the degree of similarity between the shooting conditions and the shooting scenes in the shooting condition data 103, and automatically selects a plurality of shooting scenes based on the determination results.

The memory 11 has a table in which similarity classifications of imaging scenes (imaging scene numbers) corresponding to conditions (imaging condition conditions) such as the brightness, the chromaticity, and the motion vector method are recorded in advance. That is, in the table, the shooting scenes corresponding to the shooting conditions are recorded so as to correspond to the size of the luminance, the shooting scene corresponding to the chromaticity, and the shooting scene corresponding to the motion vector. For example, a shooting scene such as "night scene", "fireworks", etc., which is a shooting scene corresponding to "dark luminance", a shooting scene such as "sunset", "red leaf", etc., which is a shooting scene corresponding to "red color", and a shooting scene such as "motion", "water bloom", "blur (ブレ) reduction", etc., which is a shooting scene corresponding to the size, amount of change, etc., of the motion vector are recorded.

The CPU9 determines the similarity of the shooting scenes using the shooting conditions (current brightness, color, motion vector, etc.) detected in step S32 and the table, and automatically selects a plurality of shooting scenes based on the determined similarities.

As a method of determining the imaging scene with the similarity, for example, similar points are added to the imaging scene corresponding to each imaging situation condition detected in step S32 every 1 point, and it is determined that the imaging scene with the higher similar points is higher in the similarity. Further, a predetermined number of imaging scenes may be automatically selected from the determined higher similarity points, a plurality of imaging scenes to which similarity points equal to or higher than the predetermined similarity points are added may be automatically selected, or all imaging scenes to which the points are added may be automatically selected.

For example, when the number of the shooting scene corresponding to the degree of the brightness detected in step S32 is number 2, number 5, number 7, number 10, or number 20, the similar point is added to the shooting scene of the number at 1 point. In step S32, when the number of the imaging scene corresponding to the detected color is No. 5, No. 6, No. 10, No. 13, or No. 19, 1 similar point is added to the imaging scene of the number. In addition, when the number of the imaging scene corresponding to the motion vector method detected in step S32 is number 3, number 5, number 7, or number 12, similar points are added to the imaging scene of the number at 1 point. In this way, similar points are added to the imaging scenes corresponding to the imaging scene condition conditions, and it is determined that the degree of similarity increases for imaging scenes in which the number of similar points added increases.

In addition, the similarity may be calculated by calculation without a table, and the shooting scene may be automatically selected based on the similarity. Further, from the detected imaging situation (or from the image data just imaged), as in the past, the imaging conditions are determined by automatically and directly determining the imaging parameters (imaging condition determination means), the degree of similarity between the automatically determined imaging conditions and the imaging scenes in the imaging condition data 103 is determined, and a plurality of imaging scenes are selected based on the determination result. That is, a plurality of imaging scenes under imaging conditions similar to or close to the automatically determined imaging conditions may be automatically selected.

Next, the CPU9 reads out the titles, descriptions, and sample images of all the selected shooting scenes from the additional information data 104 in the memory 11 based on the stored shooting scene numbers, reduces the read-out shooting scenes to be displayed (reduces the screen as shown in fig. 3), and superimposes and displays the reduced shooting scenes on the through image display (step S34). In this case, the shooting scene may be displayed semi-transparently.

Instead of displaying the title, description, and sample image of the shooting scene as shown in fig. 3C, only the title may be superimposed and displayed on the through image display.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether an instruction for photographing is given by the user (step S35).

If it is determined that no instruction for photographing is given (S35: NO), the CPU9 returns to step S33 to perform processing. Accordingly, the automatically selected shooting scene changes (the stored shooting scene number also changes) according to the change of the shooting status, and the shooting scene displayed changes accordingly.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction for photographing has been given (yes in S35), the CPU9 reads out the photographing conditions corresponding to all the photographing scene numbers currently stored (currently selected) from the photographing condition data 103 in the memory 11, stores them in the photographing condition storage area of the buffer, and also stores the number of the selected photographing scenes (step S36) (setting means).

In other words, the shooting conditions of the selected plurality of shooting scenes are set as the shooting conditions for each shooting in the continuous shooting. The number of stored shooting scenes is the number of times (number of sheets) that the user has shot by continuous shooting as it is.

When the shooting conditions of the shooting scene are stored, the number of the shooting scene and the shooting conditions are recorded in association with each other.

Next, the CPU9 starts the continuous shooting process based on the stored number of shots (number of times) and shooting conditions for each shot (each sheet) (step S37).

Specifically, the processing for performing the continuous shooting processing under the shooting conditions for each shooting scene is started in the order of the shooting scene number being smaller as follows: that is, the still image photographing process is performed under the photographing condition in which the minimum photographing scene number among the related photographing scene numbers (photographing scene numbers) is added to the respective photographing conditions stored in the photographing condition storage area, and then the still image photographing process is performed under the photographing condition in which the next photographing scene number is slightly smaller. That is, the still image photographing process is performed under the photographing conditions of the automatically selected plurality of photographing scenes, respectively.

Further, the continuous shooting process may be performed in the order of the larger shooting scene number, or the shooting scene number may be arbitrarily selected and the continuous shooting scene may be performed.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the continuous shooting process is ended (step S38).

If it is determined that the continuous shooting process is not ended (S38: NO), the CPU9 repeats the process of step S38 until the continuous shooting process is ended.

If the CPU9 determines that the continuous shooting process is ended (S38: yes), the CPU9 records a plurality of pieces of still image data obtained by the continuous shooting process in the FLASH memory 13 (step S39), and ends the process of the continuous shooting mode.

At this time, photographic scene information (for example, a name of a photographic scene, a number of a photographic scene, and the like) indicating what photographic scene is photographed is recorded in association with each other in each of the recorded image data.

As described above, in embodiment 3, the shooting situation is detected from the captured image data, and a plurality of shooting scenes suitable for the detected shooting situation are automatically selected, thereby saving the time for the user to select a shooting scene and input shooting conditions. In addition, even when a quick shooting is necessary such as at a quick shooting timing (シャッタチャンス), a plurality of shooting scenes that are considered to be suitable for the shooting situation are selected, and a continuous shooting process is performed based on the selected plurality of shooting scenes, so that the user can more easily obtain a plurality of desired candidate images without missing the quick shooting timing, and can select a truly desired image from among the candidate images.

Although the still image data photographed by the continuous shooting process is recorded in the FLASH memory 13 in the above-described embodiments 1 to 3, all the still image data obtained by the continuous shooting process may be displayed on the image display unit 14, and only the still image data selected by the user may be recorded in the FLASH memory 13.

In embodiment 1, the user inputs the number of images to be taken and the imaging conditions for each image, but the number of images to be taken and the number of imaging conditions to be input are the same.

For example, in embodiment 1, the number of input images and the number of imaging conditions are the same in the manner of the imaging condition a of the 1 st image, the imaging condition B of the 2 nd image, the imaging condition C of the 3 rd image, and the imaging condition D of the 4 th image, but the number of images may be input as 4 and 2 imaging conditions A, B may be input. In this case, the 1 st sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition a, the 2 nd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition B, the 3 rd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition a, and the 4 th sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition B, or the 1 st sheet and the 2 nd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition a and the 3 rd sheet and the 4 th sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition B. Still image photographing can be continuously performed under different photographing conditions. In addition, the number of imaging conditions is required to be equal to or less than the number of images to be imaged.

Although the number of shots is determined according to the number of selected shooting scenes in each of embodiments 2 and 3, continuous shooting may be performed for a number equal to or greater than the number of selected shooting scenes.

For example, in embodiments 2 and 3, when the shooting scene a, the shooting scene B, the shooting scene C, and the shooting scene D are selected, shooting of the shooting condition of the shooting scene a, shooting of the shooting condition of the shooting scene B, shooting of the shooting condition of the shooting scene C, and shooting of the shooting condition of the shooting scene D are continuously performed 4 times in total, but the number of shots to be continuously shot may be 4, and the number of shots may be larger than the number of selected shooting scenes so that the selected shooting scene is the shooting scene a and the shooting scene B. In this case, the 1 st sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene a, the 2 nd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene B, the 3 rd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene a, the 4 th sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene B, the 1 st sheet and the 2 nd sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene a, and the 3 rd sheet and the 4 th sheet may be photographed under the photographing condition of the photographing scene B. Still image shooting can be continuously performed under different shooting conditions as needed, and it is not necessary to completely make the shooting conditions of respective sheets continuously performing still image shooting different.

In addition, although different shooting conditions are input or different shooting scenes are selected in embodiments 1 and 2, the same shooting conditions may be input or the same shooting scenes may be selected. For example, in embodiment 1, the same imaging conditions as those for the 1 st image may be input as the 2 nd image capturing conditions. In embodiment 2, a plurality of the same imaging scenes may be selected. In short, still image shooting can be continuously performed under different shooting conditions, and the shooting conditions of the respective sheets continuously performing still image shooting are not necessarily completely the same.

In addition, in the above-described 2 nd and 3 rd embodiments, when each piece of still image data recorded by continuous shooting is displayed, shooting scene information (title and number of shooting scene) recorded in association with the still image data may be displayed together with the display of the still image data. Thus, the user can know which shooting scene the user belongs to, and can learn which shooting scene is appropriate according to the shooting situation even in the future shooting.

In addition, also in embodiments 2 to 3, as described in the above-described modified example 1, the respective imaging conditions imaged by the continuous imaging process may be recorded as 1 set.

If the group is selected, the respective imaging conditions belonging to the group are read out, and the continuous imaging is performed under the respective imaging conditions that have been read out.

In embodiment 3, the still image data most desired by the user among the still image data captured by the continuous shooting may be selected, and the CPU9 may record the shooting status and shooting scene at the time of the continuous shooting in association with each other. Thereby, the digital camera 1 can perform learning. In the normal still image shooting mode, if it is determined that the shooting situation is substantially the same as the recorded shooting situation, the shooting scene recorded in association with the recorded shooting situation may be displayed as the optimum shooting scene, or the shooting conditions for the shooting scene may be automatically set.

The imaging state when the continuous imaging is performed may be a degree of brightness, a color tone, a motion vector, or the like detected from image data captured before the continuous imaging process is performed, or may be an imaging condition automatically determined by automatically determining each imaging parameter directly from the image data as in the past. In the through image display in the normal still image shooting mode, when it is determined that the degree of brightness, color tone, motion vector, and the like detected from the captured image data, or the shooting conditions automatically determined by directly and automatically determining the shooting parameters from the image data as in the past are substantially the same as the brightness, color tone, motion vector, and the like or the shooting conditions recorded as the shooting conditions, the shooting scene recorded in association with the shooting conditions is displayed, and the shooting conditions of the shooting scene are automatically determined.

(embodiment 4)

In embodiment 4, the user may select any one of the processes of embodiments 1 to 3 and the process of shooting by single shooting, and perform the selected process by the digital camera.

The digital camera according to embodiment 4 also has the same configuration as that of embodiment 1.

The digital camera 1 according to embodiment 4 has a recording mode for photographing as a basic operation mode and a reproduction mode for reproducing a recorded image, and sets an optimum shooting mode, which will be described later, as a lower mode than the recording mode, and the mode setting key is used for these settings. In addition, the best shooting mode is the following mode: that is, by selecting a photographing scene identical to a photographing scene including a subject to be photographed thereby and a photographing environment at that time or a scene corresponding to a preferred atmosphere by a user through a sample image of a sample constituting a photographing result, a shutter speed, a diaphragm value, a color balance, and the like corresponding to the selected scene are automatically set as photographing conditions at the time of photographing.

As shown in fig. 6, the memory 11 stores, for example, image data 101 and program data 102 temporarily stored when the FLASH memory 13 has a small blank capacity, imaging condition data 103 also shown in fig. 3A, additional information data 104 also shown in fig. 3B, selection limit data 105, table data 106, and scene determination data 107.

The program data 102 is so-called firmware including various control programs necessary for control and data processing of each part of the CPU9, and program AE data constituting a program line graph indicating a combination of a stop value (F) and a shutter speed corresponding to an appropriate Exposure Value (EV) at the time of photographing.

The shooting condition data 103, additional information data 104, selection limit data 105, table data 106, and scene determination data 107 are data used in shooting in the above-described optimum shooting mode, and are each as follows.

As shown in fig. 3A, imaging parameters such as shutter speed, aperture, EV drift amount, and color emphasis are recorded for each number of each imaging scene in the imaging condition data 103.

As shown in fig. 3B, the additional information data 104 records a title indicating the content of the shooting scene of "shooting person" and "color emphasis setting" as skin color for each number of the shooting scene. The background is completely blurred "if the farthest side is the description of the photographic scene and the sample image data.

Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the selection restriction data 105. The selection restriction data 105 is data indicating a combination of imaging scenes in which the imaging conditions are opposite to each other, and in the illustrated example, is a combination of imaging scenes in which the imaging conditions are opposite to each other, in which a vertical imaging scene and a horizontal imaging scene are indicated at the intersection of an "x" symbol. Specifically, for example, "movement" (scene number 8) "and" water splash stop "(scene number 14) for quickly setting the shutter speed as the shooting condition are specified; the combination with "water flow smoothing" (scene number 13) in which the shutter speed is set at a relatively low speed as the shooting condition is determined is the above-described combination. As will be described later, the selection restriction data 105 is used when the continuous shooting function is selected in the optimum shooting mode and "manual" is selected as a method of selecting a shooting scene.

Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the selection restriction data 106. The group data 106 is data indicating a group (such as "a" to "D" in the figure) to which the corresponding imaging scene belongs, and in the present embodiment, each imaging scene is grouped into an imaging scene with a high possibility of being selected when the same subject is imaged in the optimum imaging mode. As will be described later, when the continuous shooting function is selected and used in accordance with the optimal shooting mode and "group" is selected as a method of selecting a shooting scene, the group data 106 is used.

Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the scene discrimination data 107. The scene discrimination data 107 is composed of discrimination data of a plurality of kinds of discrimination items predetermined in accordance with the above-described shooting scene. As illustrated, the determination item is subject information that can be obtained from image data such as brightness, color tone of the subject, light source type, motion of the subject, presence of a color portion, and the like. The determination data is a value indicating the feature of the corresponding imaging scene, and for example, although not shown in the drawings, a luminance range is set for "luminance", color systems such as red and blue are set for "color", a distinction between sunlight, fluorescent light, and cloudy day is set for "light source type", a degree of motion is set for "motion of the object", and a distinction between "presence of color portion" is set. As will be described later, the scene determination data 107 is used when the continuous shooting function is selected and used in accordance with the optimal shooting mode and "automatic time" is selected as a method of selecting a shooting scene.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 according to embodiment 4 will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when the optimum shooting mode is set according to the recording mode.

When setting the optimum mode, the user performs a plurality of times of continuous shooting in response to 1 shooting instruction, selects whether or not to use a continuous shooting function for recording a plurality of still images, and instructs a method of selecting a shooting scene when using the continuous shooting function.

If the optimum mode is set by the user, the CPU9 of the digital camera 1 determines whether or not the use of the continuous shooting function is selected (step S101).

When determining that the use of the continuous shooting function is not selected (no in step S101), the CPU9 performs single-shot photography (step S102).

Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the single shot photography processing.

First, the CPU9 displays a scene selection screen (for example, the scene selection screen 301 shown in fig. 15) in which sample images representing all the shooting scenes registered in advance as the additional information data 104 shown in fig. 3B are stored in the memory 11 and displayed in a list form (step S201).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the user selects a desired shooting scene through the key input unit 10 (step S202). Further, the selection of the shooting scene is performed by a moving operation of a selection cursor based on an operation of the cross key and a determination operation based on an operation of the setting key. Further, the shooting scene A, B as shown in fig. 15 may be displayed in a single manner, and the shooting scene may be selected by a display switching operation of the shooting scene by the operation of the cross key and a determination operation by the operation of the setting key.

When it is determined that one of the shooting scenes is selected (yes in S202), the CPU9 reads data (setting values of a plurality of shooting parameters) corresponding to the shooting scene (scene number) selected from the shooting condition data 103 as shown in fig. 3A, and automatically sets the data as shooting conditions at the time of shooting (step S203).

Then, the CPU9 starts display of the through image, shifts to a photographing wait state (step S204), and determines whether or not there is a photographing instruction by operation of the shutter key (step S205).

When it is determined that there is no photographing instruction (no in S205), the CPU9 returns to step S204 to perform the processing.

If it is determined that the photographing instruction has been issued (yes in S205), the CPU9 performs photographing processing corresponding to the preset photographing conditions, that is, photographing processing including various controls such as a shutter speed, a diaphragm value, and a color balance corresponding to the photographing scene selected by the user (step S206). Next, the CPU9 compresses the obtained image data and records the compressed image data as a still image file in the FLASH memory 13 (step S207).

Subsequently, the flow returns to the main flow shown in fig. 10, and the 1-time photographing operation in the optimal photographing mode is completed as it is.

Thus, the user can obtain a photographed image of the intended atmosphere by simply selecting a desired photographing scene before photographing, without considering the complicated setting work of the photographing parameters, and combining these setting values.

On the other hand, in the flowchart shown in fig. 10, when the continuous shooting function is selected (yes in S102), the CPU9 displays a designation screen for the user to select a method of selecting a shooting scene on the image display unit 14 (step S103).

In the present embodiment, 3 types of methods for selecting a shooting scene (hereinafter referred to as a scene selection method), i.e., "manual", "group", and "automatic", are provided in advance.

If it is determined that "manual" is selected (yes in S104), the process proceeds to a manual selection process (step S105). When "group" is selected (NO in S104, YES in S106), a group selection process is performed (step S107). When it is determined that "automatic" is selected (no in S104 and no in S106), an automatic selection process is performed (step S108).

First, a case where the scene selection method selects "manual" will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the manual selection process.

If moving to the manual selection process, the CPU9 first determines whether there is a setting of an unselectable scene (step S301). As for the non-selectable scene, although it will be described later, since the non-selectable scene is not set at the beginning of the operation (no in S301), the CPU9 displays a scene selection screen in which all registered photographic scenes (sample images) are arranged in parallel on the image display unit 14, as in the case of the above-described single photographic processing (step S302). Here, the user selects a desired photographing scene. As in the case of the single photographing process, only 1 of the photographing scenes a and B as shown in fig. 15 may be displayed, and the photographing scene may be selected by a display switching operation of the photographing scene by the operation of the cross key and a determination operation by the operation of the setting key.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the user selects a certain shooting scene through the key input unit 10 (step S303).

If it is determined that one of the shooting scenes is selected (yes in S303), the CPU9 stores the scene number of the selected shooting scene and sets the shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene as the shooting condition to be used in shooting (S304).

Then, the CPU9 refers to the selection restriction data 105 as shown in fig. 7, and determines whether or not there is a shooting scene whose shooting conditions are reversed compared to the shooting scene that has been selected (step S305).

If it is determined that there is no shooting scene whose shooting conditions are opposite to those of the selected shooting scene (no in S305), the CPU9 returns to step S301 to perform the processing. In this case, since the determination result in step S301 is no again, the scene selection screen formed by all the shooting scenes is displayed again (step S302) as in the beginning of the process. However, the selected shooting scene is displayed in a state distinguishable from other shooting scenes.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a shooting scene opposite to the selected shooting bar (yes in S305), the CPU9 sets the shooting scene to an unselectable shooting scene (unselectable scene) (step S306), and returns to step S301 to perform the processing. In this case, since the determination result in step S301 is yes, the CPU9 displays a scene selection screen formed of the shooting scene excluding the above-described unselectable scene on the image display unit 14 (step S307). The user selects a desired shooting scene from the scene selection screen excluding the non-selectable scene. That is, when the 2 nd and subsequent shooting scenes are selected, the shooting scenes constituting the selection target are restricted according to the selected shooting scenes.

Thereafter, the user selects a plurality of shooting scenes by repeating the above operation. In contrast, when selecting the 2 nd and subsequent shooting scenes, the scene selection screen may be displayed so that the unselected scenes of all the shooting scenes are in a dark display (grey out) state, and the movement of the cursor for selecting the shooting scene may be prohibited, thereby clearly indicating the unselected scenes to the user.

If the user has instructed the end of selection of a shooting scene by a predetermined key operation (no in S303 and yes in S308), the CPU9 ends the manual selection processing and returns to the main flow of fig. 7 to perform the processing.

Then, the CPU9 starts through image display on the image display unit 14 (step S109), and determines whether or not there is a shooting instruction by operation of the shutter key in the shooting standby state (step S110).

If it is determined that there is no photographing instruction (no in S110), the CPU9 repeats the processing in step S110 until there is a photographing instruction.

If it is determined that there is a photographing instruction (S110: YES), the CPU9 reads out the photographing condition (corresponding to the photographing scene storing the scene number) set as the object of use at that time, performs photographing processing corresponding to the condition (step S111), and stores the still image plane data obtained by photographing in the DRAM12 (step S112).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the shooting process matching the shooting condition has been completed by the number of times corresponding to the set number of shooting conditions (the number of designated shooting scenes) (step S113).

If it is determined that the photographing process conforming to all the photographing conditions has not been completed (no in S113), the CPU9 returns to step S111 to perform the process.

If it is determined that the shooting process conforming to all the shooting conditions is completed (yes in S113), the CPU9 records a plurality of pieces of still image data stored in the DRAM12 in the FLASH memory 13 as still image files (step S114).

Specifically, the operations in steps S111 and S112 are repeated until the imaging process is completed that meets all the imaging conditions (scene numbers) set as the objects of use. That is, continuous shooting is performed with the shooting conditions changed for the same subject. Then, if the shooting process is completed the number of times corresponding to the number of the set shooting conditions (the number of the designated shooting scenes), the CPU9 records a plurality of pieces of still image data stored in the DRAM12 as still image files in the FLASH memory 13.

Next, the CPU9 determines whether "manual" is selected as the scene selection method (step S115).

If it is determined that "manual" is selected as the scene selection method (yes in S115), the CPU9 adds and registers a new group formed of a plurality of shooting scenes set as objects of use by the present continuous shooting in the group data 106 as shown in fig. 8 (step S116), and ends the 1-time shooting operation in the optimal shooting mode.

If it is determined that "manual" is not selected as the scene selection method (no in S115), the CPU9 ends the 1-time shooting operation in the optimal shooting mode.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing operation contents in the case where "manual" is selected as the scene selection method as described above. For example, when two shooting scenes A, B of "person" and "child" are selected and shot, a shot image 201a in which shooting conditions corresponding to "person" are reflected and a shot image 201b in which shooting conditions corresponding to "child" are reflected by 1 shooting operation can be obtained. In fig. 15, reference numeral 301 denotes a scene selection screen formed by all shooting scenes, reference numeral 302 denotes a scene selection screen formed by shooting scenes other than non-selectable scenes, and reference numeral 401 denotes a through image.

As described above, when "manual" is selected as the scene selection method, if the continuous shooting function is not selected to be used in the optimum shooting mode, the same shot image as that obtained in the case of normal still image shooting in the optimum shooting mode in which the single shooting process of fig. 15 is performed a plurality of times in the same shooting scene can be obtained by 1 shooting operation.

Thus, by selecting a plurality of arbitrary shooting scenes before the shooting operation, a plurality of images with variously changing image quality can be easily obtained, unlike an image with simply changing brightness or the like in stages (image quality change is simple image) obtained by conventional auto (auto) demarcating (ブラケイング) shooting.

In addition, when selecting the 2 nd and subsequent shooting scenes, by limiting the shooting scenes in which the shooting conditions are reversed compared with the selected shooting scenes, it is possible to exclude the selection of shooting scenes in which the type of the subject and the shooting environment are completely different from each other, as a plurality of shooting scenes, while respecting the intention of the user. As a result, it is possible to prevent a captured image reflecting an extremely different imaging condition from the other captured images from being mixed in a plurality of captured images obtained finally, and to suppress the range of variation in image quality between the captured images to a certain extent.

In addition, the limitation of the shooting scenes selectable in the 2 nd and subsequent times described above does not have to be implemented. In addition, unlike this, the number of selectable shooting scenes may be limited to a prescribed number before the shooting operation.

Next, with respect to step S106 of fig. 10, in the case where "group" is selected as the scene selection method, S106: yes) are described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the group selection processing.

If moving to the group selection process, the CPU9 displays a scene selection screen composed of photographic scenes belonging to at least 1 of the groups from the group data 106 as shown in fig. 8 (step S401). Here, the user can select a desired photographing scene from the scene selection screen.

Then, the CPU9 determines whether or not the user has selected one of the shooting scenes through the key input section 10 (step S402).

If it is determined that the shooting scene is not selected (no in S402), the CPU9 returns to step S401 to perform the processing.

When it is determined that a certain shooting scene is selected (yes in S402), the CPU9 stores the selected scene and the scene numbers of the shooting scenes of the same group, and sets the shooting conditions corresponding to these shooting scenes as the shooting conditions to be used in shooting (step S403). This ends the group selection processing, and returns to the main flow of fig. 10.

Subsequently, the CPU9 performs continuous shooting with the shooting conditions changed for the same subject through the processing of step S109 to step S114. Next, when "group" is selected as the scene selection method (no in S115), the CPU9 skips the process in step S116 and ends the 1-time shooting operation in the optimal shooting mode as it is.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing operation contents in the case where "group" is selected as the scene selection method as described above. For example, when "person" is selected as a shooting scene and shooting is performed, shot images 201a to 201e reflecting shooting conditions corresponding to shooting scenes of "scenery and person", "child", "software focus", and "backlight" in a plurality of shooting scenes belonging to the same group a as "person" through 1 shooting operation can be obtained. In the figure as well, reference numeral 301 denotes a scene selection screen formed by all the shooting scenes, and reference numeral 401 denotes a through image.

As described above, when the "group" is selected as the scene selection method, by selecting an arbitrary shooting scene before the shooting operation, the same shooting image as that obtained when the normal still image shooting in the optimum shooting mode in which the single shooting processing of fig. 11 is performed through the same shooting scene is performed a plurality of times can be obtained by 1 shooting operation, as in the case where the "manual" is selected as the scene selection method.

Compared with the case of simply obtaining an image with simply graded change of brightness and the like according to the conventional automatic demarcation (ブラケイング), the automatic demarcation shooting according to the embodiment can simply obtain a plurality of images with various image quality changes.

Further, the number of times of continuous shooting, that is, the number of recorded shots of 1 shot can be limited by setting the shooting conditions applied to the continuous shooting as the shooting conditions corresponding to the predetermined shooting scene belonging to the same group as the shooting scene selected by the user.

In the present embodiment, since the grouping processing is performed in advance for scenes that are highly likely to be selected when the same subject is photographed in the optimum photographing mode, it is possible to realize the manual selection operation of the photographing scene without performing any number of times, unlike the case where the scene selection method is selected to be "manual". Thus, although it is not clear which scene is selected before the continuous shooting, that is, if the number of scenes is about 1, the manual selection is possible, it is particularly preferable if it is difficult to manually select a plurality of scenes.

In addition, the method of grouping the imaging scenes may be performed according to the types of the objects such as "person, water, night view, and nature". In this case, if the previously registered shooting scenes are scenes shown in fig. 8 and the like, shooting scenes such as "person", "person and landscape", and "child" may be put into the person group, shooting scenes such as "smoothen water flow", "stop water bloom", and the like may be put into the water group, shooting scenes such as "night scene", "high sensitivity", and the like may be put into the night scene group, and shooting scenes such as "landscape", "landscape and person", "make green bright", and "red leaf" may be put into the natural group. The images may be grouped according to other various imaging environments, for example, imaging locations such as "outdoor and indoor," and imaging times such as "spring, summer, autumn, and winter," and imaging times such as "morning, evening, and night. In any case, the same imaging scene may be put into a plurality of groups.

Next, a case where the scene selection method selects "automatic" in step S106 in fig. 10 (no in S106) will be described. Fig. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the automatic selection processing.

When the process shifts to the automatic selection process, the CPU9 first displays a plurality of designation screens on the image display unit 14, and stores a plurality of screens designated by the user' S key operation on the basis of the display screens (step S501). Next, the CPU9 starts through image display (step S502). Here, the user can specify a subject constituting a subject of continuous shooting. In addition, if, for example, a scheme is available in which a shutter key is half-pressed, the subject is specified by the half-pressing operation of the shutter.

Then, the CPU9 determines whether there is a designation operation of the subject of the object of continuous shooting by the user (step S503).

If there is no designation operation of the subject of the object of continuous shooting by the user (S503: no), the CPU9 repeats the processing of step S503 until there is the designation operation.

If it is determined that there is a designation operation of the subject as a subject of continuous shooting by the user (S503: YES), the CPU9 temporarily acquires images of a predetermined number of frames (step S504), and detects predetermined image information from the image data of the frames acquired here (step S505). Here, the CPU9 detects the brightness of the subject from the brightness component of the image data, detects the color of the subject from the color components of R, G, and B of the image data, compares the contents of the image data with each other, detects the motion vector of the subject (the amount of movement of the subject), performs face recognition, and detects the presence or absence of a face portion.

Next, the CPU9 searches for a plurality of shooting scenes that are close to the contents of the object or the current shooting situation, that is, similar to the actual shooting, from among the plurality of registered objects, based on the corresponding object information detected as described above, with the number of specified objects specified by the user as the upper limit in step S501 (step S506).

Here, the CPU9 uses the scene determination data 107 as shown in fig. 9, compares the determination data with the previously detected image data for each determination item for each shooting scene, and gives the corresponding priority to the number of determination items that match the number of shooting scenes as candidates, with the number of determination items being equal to or greater than 1, as the degree of similarity. In this case, the total of points corresponding to the priority ranks between the judgment items, which are points predetermined in each of the items of the matched judgment items, is calculated for the shooting scenes in which the number of the matched judgment items is the same, and a higher priority rank is given as compared with the shooting scenes in which the total number of the points is large. In addition, a higher priority rank is given to a plurality of imaging scenes having the same total point number than to the case where the scene number is slightly smaller (if い). Then, from among the shooting scenes in which the number of matching determination items is 1 or more, and the shooting scenes to which a high priority (similarity) is given as described above, shooting scenes in which the number corresponds to the number of instructed shots are obtained.

Then, the CPU9 stores the scene numbers of the plurality of shooting conditions corresponding to the plurality of shooting scenes obtained (searched) as described above, and sets the shooting conditions corresponding to the shooting scenes as the shooting conditions to be used at the time of shooting (step S507). Next, the CPU9 displays information for making the user recognize the end of the preparation for shooting on the screen (step S508), ends the automatic selection processing, and returns to the main flow of fig. 10 to perform the processing.

After the automatic selection processing ends, the CPU9 proceeds to step S110 to perform processing, and waits for a photographing instruction. In addition, for the following, continuous shooting with the shooting conditions changed is performed for the same subject by the processing of the above-described steps S111 to S113, and the shooting operation for 1 time in the optimal shooting mode is ended.

Therefore, in the case where the scene selection method is selected to be "automatic", the same photographic image as that obtained in the case where the normal still image photographing in the optimum photographing mode in which the single photographing processing of fig. 11 is performed a plurality of times through the same photographing scene can be obtained by 1 photographing operation, as in the case where "manual" or "group" is selected as the scene selection method, by designating the subject before the photographing operation.

In addition, according to the automatic delimiting photography of the present embodiment, a plurality of images having various image qualities can be easily obtained, compared to a case where only an image having a simple gradation change such as brightness is obtained according to the conventional automatic delimiting photography.

Further, since the imaging conditions corresponding to the imaging scene similar to the actual imaging scene are automatically set to be suitable for the imaging conditions in the case of continuous imaging by specifying the subject, unlike the case where the scene selection method selects "manual" or "group", an operation of selecting the same scene as the actual imaging scene before continuous imaging is not necessary. This is particularly preferable when it is not known at all which scene is selected before the continuous shooting, or when the judgment is lost.

In the present embodiment, since the user designates the required number of shots in advance by key operation, the number of consecutive shots, that is, the number of recorded shots of 1 shot, can be limited as in the case where the scene selection method selects the "group".

Further, in the above step S505, image information of the brightness, color tone, motion amount (motion vector), and presence or absence of a facial part of the subject as scene specifying information of the present invention is detected (obtained) from the image data of the subject specified by the user, and in the next step S506, a plurality of shooting scenes similar to the actual shooting scene are searched for based on the obtained image information, but the processing may be performed as follows.

For example, in step S505, external information that cannot be obtained from the image data, such as the date and time of shooting and the time of shooting, is obtained separately from the image information, and in step S506, a plurality of shooting scenes similar to the actual shooting scene may be searched for based on either or both of the external information and the image information. However, in this case, unlike the scene discrimination data 107 shown in fig. 9, it is necessary to prepare, as items including the above-described discrimination: scene determination data of one or both of a determination item related to the image information and a determination item related to the external information.

Although it is determined whether or not the subject is designated in step S503, the processes in steps S504 to S507 may be repeated during the period of the through image without the subject designation operation.

In step S505, when predetermined image information is detected from image data of a plurality of frames, the image information may be detected using only image data in a predetermined area (for example, an AF area) in the image data or in an area arbitrarily designated by the user. In this case, by performing a half-press operation of the shutter while the AF area is aligned with a subject, predetermined image information is detected from image data in the AF area, and thus desired image information of the subject can be detected.

In the present embodiment described above, when the use of the continuous shooting function is selected in accordance with the optimal shooting mode, any method is selected as the scene selection method, and even in this case, unlike the image that is obtained by the past automatic delimiting shooting and that simply changes in gradation such as brightness, a plurality of images having various image qualities can be easily obtained by effectively using various shooting modes provided for a single shot movie. As a result, the use skill in the case of performing the delimiting photography can be greatly improved.

When "manual" is selected as the scene selection method, as described above, a new group including a plurality of shooting conditions corresponding to various shooting conditions set as shooting conditions suitable for continuous shooting is additionally registered in group data 106 as shown in fig. 8. Then, it is convenient to select "group" as a scene selection method thereafter, and select 1 desired shooting scene, while automatically setting respective shooting conditions corresponding to a plurality of shooting scenes (shooting modes) manually selected before that as shooting conditions suitable for the case of continuous shooting. In addition, the corresponding effects due to the differences of the scene selection methods other than this are as already described.

Further, unlike the present embodiment, even when "automatic" is selected as the scene selection method, it does not matter whether a plurality of shooting scenes corresponding to respective shooting conditions set as suitable for shooting conditions in the case of continuous shooting are registered as a new group, as in the case of "manual" selection.

(embodiment 5)

The following describes a digital camera according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

In embodiment 5, a new shooting condition may be created by combining a plurality of existing shooting conditions in a digital camera, 1 or more of the existing shooting conditions and the new shooting conditions may be selected by a user, and the digital camera may shoot images based on the selected shooting conditions.

The present embodiment also relates to a digital camera configured to allow a user to select whether or not to use a continuous shooting function when shooting in an optimal shooting mode, as in embodiment 4. This embodiment is the same as that shown in fig. 1, and the above-described imaging condition data 103 and additional information data 104 are stored in the memory 11. In addition, the memory 11 stores programs for using the CPU9 as the single-shot control means, the continuous shooting control means, the selection control means, the generation means, and the image storage control means of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation performed when the continuous shooting function is used in the digital camera according to the present embodiment in which the optimum shooting mode is selected.

If the use of the continuous shooting function is selected, the CPU9 of the digital camera 1 displays a scene selection screen formed of a full shot scene, and accepts selection of a basic scene of 1 or more shooting scenes by the user (step S601).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether 1 or more determination basic scenes are selected (step S602).

If it is determined that the basic scene is not selected (no in S602), the CPU9 returns to step S601 to perform the processing.

If it is determined that 1 or more basic scenes have been selected (S602: YES), the CPU9 stores the selected basic scenes in the DRAM12 (step S603), and detects a shooting scene that can be combined with all of the selected 1 or more basic scenes (step S604).

Here, from all the registered imaging scenes, an imaging scene corresponding to an imaging condition having a content that does not overlap with an imaging condition corresponding to each of the 1 or more basic scenes is searched. That is, when a specific shooting condition item such as a shutter speed is specified in the shooting condition corresponding to the basic scene, a shooting scene in which the same shooting condition item is not specified is searched for in the corresponding shooting condition, in other words, a shooting scene in which the emphasis of the shooting condition is different is searched for.

Then, the CPU9 displays a scene selection screen formed only of the retrieved combinable scenes, and accepts selection of a photographing scene desired by the user as an associated scene associated with 1 or more basic scenes (step S605).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether or not the associated scene is selected by the user (step S606).

If it is determined that the associated scene is not selected (S606: NO), the CPU9 returns to step S605 to perform processing.

If it is determined that the associated scene is selected (yes in S606), the CPU9 creates a new shooting condition in which the shooting condition of the associated scene is added to the corresponding shooting condition for each basic scene, and stores the created new shooting condition in the DRAM12 (step S607).

For example, as shown in fig. 18, when "smoothing the water flow" and "stopping the splash" are selected in the basic scene and "person" is selected in the related scene, 2 types of imaging conditions corresponding to virtual imaging that is not actually registered, that is, "smoothing the water flow + person" and "stopping the splash + person" are created as new imaging conditions.

Then, the CPU9 sets the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 or more basic scenes and the created new shooting conditions as the objects to be used at the time of shooting (step S608). In the above example, 2 kinds of imaging conditions corresponding to 2 basic scenes, and 4 total imaging conditions of 2 kinds of imaging conditions newly manufactured are set as objects to be used in imaging. At this time, the scene number is stored for the shooting condition corresponding to the basic scene.

Next, the CPU9 causes the image display unit 14 to start through image display (step S609), and shifts to a shooting standby state to determine whether or not a shooting instruction is given by the operation of the shutter key (step S610).

If it is determined that there is no photographing instruction (no in S610), the CPU9 repeats the processing in step S610 until there is a photographing instruction.

If it is determined that there is a photographing instruction (S610: YES), the CPU9 reads out the photographing condition set as the object of use at that time, performs photographing processing conforming to the condition (step S611), and stores the still image data obtained by photographing in the DRAM12 (step S612).

Thereafter, the CPU9 determines whether or not the photographing process matching all the photographing conditions set as the objects of use is ended (step S613).

If it is determined that the image capturing process has not been completed in accordance with all the image capturing conditions set as the objects of use (no in S613), the CPU9 returns to step S611 to perform the process.

That is, the operations of steps S611 and S612 are repeated until the imaging process corresponding to all the imaging conditions set as the object of use is completed. Continuous imaging is performed with the imaging conditions changed for the same subject.

If it is determined that the photographing process has been completed the number of times corresponding to the number of the set photographing conditions (S613: yes), the CPU9 stores each of the still image data obtained by the photographing process of the photographing conditions different from each other as a plurality of still image data stored in the DRAM12 in the FLASH memory 13 as a still image file, respectively (step S614). Then, the photographing operation of 1 time in the optimal photographing mode is ended.

As described above, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when the use of the continuous shooting function is selected in accordance with the optimum shooting mode, 2 shooting scenes of the basic scene and the related scene are selected by the user before the shooting operation, and continuous shooting is performed using a total of 3 shooting conditions, which are at least 1 set of shooting conditions directly corresponding to the selected basic scene and related scene and new shooting conditions formed from the 1 set of shooting conditions.

As a result, compared to the case where an image that simply changes in gradation, such as brightness, is obtained according to the conventional automatic delimiting photography, the automatic delimiting photography according to the present embodiment forms a plurality of images having various changes in image quality by effectively utilizing various photography modes prepared for single photography, and even when normal still image photography is performed a plurality of times by simply changing the selection scene without using the continuous shooting function according to the optimal photography mode, an image cannot be obtained, and a plurality of images having a photographed image reflecting the above-described new photography conditions can be easily obtained. Thus, the use skill in the case of performing the delimiting photography can be greatly improved.

In the present embodiment, in the continuous shooting in the optimum shooting mode, shooting is performed using shooting conditions corresponding to the basic scene and the related scene that are directly selected by the user, but at least 2 or more shooting scenes that are the basic scenes may be selected, and only shooting under the new shooting conditions may be performed. For example, in the case of the example shown in fig. 8, only photographing under 2 new photographing conditions corresponding to the virtual photographing scenes of "water flow smoothing + person" and "water bloom stopping + person" may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where 2 types of shooting scenes divided into the basic scene and the related scene are selected by the user, the shooting conditions of the basic scene and the shooting conditions of the related scene are associated with each other, and new shooting conditions suitable for the case of continuous shooting are formed, but 3 or more shooting scenes may be selected by the user, and new shooting conditions (for example, a + B + C) associated with all of the 3 or more corresponding shooting conditions (for example, A, B, C) may be formed as new shooting conditions suitable for the case of continuous shooting.

Even in the above configuration, a plurality of images having various image qualities can be obtained by continuous shooting. In this case, even in the case of continuous shooting, shooting under shooting conditions corresponding to a shooting scene directly selected by the user can be performed, or shooting under new shooting conditions can be used, as in the present embodiment.

(embodiment 6)

The following describes a digital camera according to embodiment 6 of the present invention.

In embodiment 6, the digital camera may perform the delimiting photography in which the setting values of the photography parameters suitable for the photography scene are changed in stages only by the user selecting the photography scene.

The present embodiment also relates to a digital camera configured in such a manner that a user can select whether or not a continuous shooting function is used at the time of shooting in the optimum shooting mode, as in embodiment 4. The configuration is the same as that shown in fig. 1, but a program that functions as the single-shot control means, the selection control means, the changing means, the continuous shooting control means, and the image storage control means of the present invention is stored in the memory 11, using the CPU 9. In addition, the memory 11 stores the delimiting data 108 of the contents shown in fig. 19 in place of the selection restriction data 105, the table data 106, and the scene discrimination data 107.

The delimiting data 108 is data corresponding to each shooting scene registered in the digital camera, and is composed of the type of shooting parameters (hereinafter referred to as adjustment parameters) whose set values should be changed in stages at the time of continuous shooting in the optimum shooting mode, an adjustment interval (adjustment amount) from the amount of change of 1 time of each adjustment target parameter at the time of continuous shooting, and the number of times of adjustment.

The adjustment parameter is a parameter predetermined in accordance with the contents of the imaging conditions, which are the corresponding imaging scenes, and here, it is a parameter set to a specific imaging parameter which is not automatic or standard in the imaging condition data 103 shown in fig. 6. The specific setting value of the adjustment interval is an adjustment level such as 1 level or 2 levels if the photographing parameter is of a type in which settable values such as shutter speed and iris are graded, or is an adjustment intensity if the parameter is subjected to image processing such as color emphasis, vividness, contour emphasis, and color filtering. The number of times of adjustment is the number of times of changing the adjustment parameter in accordance with the adjustment interval, and in the present embodiment, is a plurality of times.

In the digital camera according to the present embodiment, as in embodiment 4, the user can select whether or not to use the continuous shooting function when shooting in the optimum shooting mode.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera when the optimal imaging mode of embodiment 6 is selected for use.

If the use of the continuous shooting function is selected, the CPU9 of the digital camera 1 displays a scene selection screen formed by all the shooting scenes, and accepts the selection of the shooting scene desired by the user (step S701).

Next, the CPU9 determines whether the user selects a shooting scene (step S702).

If it is determined that the user has not selected the photographing scene (S702: no), the CPU9 returns to step S701 to perform processing.

If it is determined that the user has selected one of the shooting scenes (S702: YES), the CPU9 first reads out the delimiting (ブラケテイング) data 108 corresponding to the selected shooting scene (step S703), calculates the initial value of the adjustment parameter based on the adjustment amount and the number of adjustments, and sets the initial value of the adjustment parameter (step S704). Further, the initial values of the adjustment parameters are as follows: that is, the intermediate value in the case where the adjustment parameter is changed by the adjustment number of times in accordance with the adjustment amount is a set value in the case where the adjustment parameter is automatically set by AE control, AWB control, or the like.

Next, the CPU9 performs shooting processing in accordance with the shooting conditions including the adjustment parameters (step S705). The still image data obtained by the photographing is stored in the DRAM12 (step S706).

The CPU9 determines whether or not the number of shots is a predetermined number obtained by adding 1 to the number of adjustments of the adjustment parameter (step S707).

If it is determined that the number of times of photographing is not the predetermined number of times obtained by adding 1 to the number of times of adjustment of the adjustment parameter (no in S707), the CPU9 changes the value to the value obtained by changing the set value of the adjustment parameter in accordance with the adjustment interval (step S708), and returns to step S705 to perform the processing.

That is, the operations of steps S705 and S706 are repeated after the set value of the adjustment parameter is changed to a value obtained by changing the adjustment interval before the number of times of shooting is equal to the predetermined number of times obtained by adding 1 to the number of times of adjustment of the adjustment parameter (step S708). Continuous shooting is performed with the shooting conditions changed for the same subject.

For example, when the shooting scene selected by the user before shooting is "motion" or "water flow smoothing", continuous shooting is performed in which the shutter speed is changed in stages, and when the shooting scene is "flower", continuous shooting is performed in which the color degree is changed in stages. Further, continuous shooting is performed in which the chromaticity of skin color is changed in a stepwise manner when the subject is "person", the chromaticity of green color is changed in a stepwise manner when the subject is "bright green", and the chromaticity of red color is changed in a stepwise manner when the subject is "red leaf".

Then, if it is determined that the number of times of shooting is the predetermined number of times obtained by adding 1 to the number of times of adjustment of the adjustment parameter (yes in step S707), the CPU9 records each of the plurality of still image data stored in the DRAM12, which are obtained by shooting under different shooting conditions, as a still image file in the FLASH memory 13 (step S709). This ends the 1-time photographing operation in the optimal photographing mode.

As described above, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when the use of the continuous shooting function is selected in accordance with the optimum shooting mode, the same as in the case of the single shooting, the object to be shot, the same scene as the shooting scene including the shooting environment at that time, or the scene conforming to the preferred atmosphere is simply selected from among them before the shooting operation, and the boundary shooting in which the setting values of the shooting parameters suitable for the shooting scene at each time are changed in stages can be performed.

Further, since the single-shot imaging can be performed by selecting the imaging scene (imaging mode) prepared for the single-shot imaging, it is not necessary to separately set the single-shot imaging mode and the continuous imaging mode (boundary imaging), and the same imaging mode can be used in both the single-shot imaging and the continuous imaging.

Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the automatic delimiting function by anyone regardless of the presence or absence of knowledge of a camera, a photograph, or the like, and to greatly improve the skill in use when performing the delimiting photography.

Further, in the above-described 4 th to 6 th embodiments, the description has been given of the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera provided with an optimum shooting mode for displaying a title, a description, and a sample image corresponding to a shooting mode as a selection screen of the shooting mode, but the present invention is also applicable to a digital camera provided with a normal shooting mode for displaying only an icon and a name corresponding to a shooting mode as a selection screen of the shooting mode.

Finally, although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the video camera of the present invention is applied to the digital still camera 1, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be applied to a mobile phone with a camera, a PDA with a camera, a personal computer with a camera, a digital video camera, and the like, and may be a device capable of continuously photographing an object as necessary.

Claims (31)

1. An image pickup apparatus is characterized in that,

the method comprises the following steps:

an imaging device means for imaging an object;

a continuous shooting control means for controlling the image pickup means to perform a plurality of still image shots at different times;

a setting unit configured to set respective shooting conditions for shooting the still images;

a recording mechanism that records image data;

a recording control mechanism which controls as follows: the recording means controls the still image photographing means to perform still image photographing at different timings by controlling the continuous shooting control means;

the continuous shooting control means performs still image shooting a plurality of times at different timings based on the respective different shooting conditions set by the setting means.

2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

it also includes an input mechanism for inputting the photographing conditions from the outside;

the setting means sets the plurality of shooting conditions input by the input means as the plurality of shooting conditions for the still image shooting.

3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3,

the method comprises the following steps:

a condition recording means for recording a plurality of imaging scenes in association with a plurality of imaging conditions;

a selection unit configured to select a plurality of arbitrary imaging scenes;

the setting means reads the shooting conditions corresponding to the plurality of shooting scenes selected by the selecting means from the condition recording means, and sets the read shooting conditions as the plurality of shooting conditions for the still image shooting.

4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a condition recording means for recording a plurality of imaging scenes in association with a plurality of imaging conditions;

a photographing status detection unit that detects a photographing status based on image data obtained by photographing the subject by the imaging unit;

an automatic selection means for automatically selecting at least 1 scene or more from the plurality of shooting scenes recorded by the condition recording means, based on the shooting situation detected by the shooting situation detection means;

the setting means reads the shooting conditions corresponding to the plurality of shooting scenes selected by the selecting means from the condition recording means, and sets the read shooting conditions as the shooting conditions for the still image shooting.

5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the imaging situation detection means detects at least 1 or more of the brightness, color tone, and movement amount of the subject as parameters indicating the imaging situation.

6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4,

the automatic selection mechanism further includes:

a determination unit configured to determine a correlation between the imaging situation detected by the imaging situation detection unit and each imaging scene recorded by the condition recording unit;

selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the imaging condition data based on the correlation determined by the determining means.

7. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4,

further comprising:

a display unit for displaying an image;

a through display control mechanism that controls in the following manner: that is, before the imaging means performs the plurality of still image shots under the control of the continuous shooting control means, the imaging means performs the moving image shooting of the subject, the display means performs the through display of the image moving image based on the moving image data obtained by the moving image shooting,

the straight-through control mechanism is controlled in the following way,

that is, when the automatic selection means selects a shooting scene, information of the selected shooting scene is superimposed on the moving image.

8. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3,

the recording control means records each image data obtained by the continuous still image shooting by the continuous shooting control means and information on a shooting scene corresponding to a shooting condition when shooting each image data in association with each other in the recording means.

9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 8,

further comprising:

a display unit for displaying an image;

a reproduction display control unit that performs reproduction display of the image data recorded in the recording unit by the display unit;

the reproduction control means reproduces and displays the image data when recording information of the shooting scene in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed, and the information of the shooting scene is also displayed on the display means.

10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a 2 nd recording mechanism for recording data;

and a group recording control unit configured to record the respective imaging conditions of the still image imaging continuously performed by the continuous shooting control unit as 1 group in the 2 nd recording unit.

11. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 10,

further comprising:

a reading unit that reads imaging conditions from each of the groups recorded in the 2 nd recording unit by the group recording control unit;

the setting means sets, as the plurality of imaging conditions for each still image, a plurality of different imaging conditions in the same group read out from the 2 nd recording means by the reading means.

12. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a condition recording unit that records a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging conditions so as to correspond to each other;

a single-shot control unit that controls the image pickup unit to perform single still image shooting;

the setting mechanism includes:

a 1 st setting unit that reads out a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to each of a plurality of imaging scenes from the condition recording unit and sets the plurality of imaging conditions that have been read out as imaging conditions for imaging each still image by the continuous shooting control unit;

a 2 nd setting unit configured to read out the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene from the condition recording unit and set the read-out shooting conditions as shooting conditions for a single still image shooting by the single-shot control unit;

the recording control means controls the recording apparatus as follows: that is, the recording means records image data obtained by still image shooting performed by the imaging means under the control of the single-shot control means;

the continuous shooting control means performs still image shooting a plurality of times based on the plurality of shooting conditions set by the 1 st setting means;

the single-shot control means performs single still image shooting based on the shooting conditions set by the 2 nd setting means.

13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a selection control unit for allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from the plurality of shooting scenes;

the 1 st setting means sets a plurality of shooting conditions corresponding to the plurality of shooting scenes selected by the plurality of selection control means by the user as a plurality of shooting conditions suitable for the continuous shooting control means to control at the time of continuous shooting.

14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

the setting means includes a limiting means for limiting a setting target of the photographing condition in accordance with the photographing condition that has been set.

15. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13,

the 2 nd setting means sets a plurality of shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene selected by the selection control means by the user as shooting conditions at the time of single-shot shooting applied to the single-shot shooting control means.

16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 12,

the plurality of imaging conditions recorded in the condition recording means include a plurality of imaging conditions each corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes divided into a plurality of groups;

the system comprises a group specifying mechanism for specifying one of the groups as a use object;

the 1 st setting means sets the plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging scenes belonging to one of the groups designated by the group designating means as the plurality of imaging conditions suitable for the continuous shooting control means to control at the time of continuous shooting.

17. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 16,

the imaging apparatus includes a group setting unit that sets a plurality of imaging scenes corresponding to a plurality of imaging conditions applied to the continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control unit in the same group.

18. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 16,

the group designation means designates a photographic scene of a group to which an arbitrary photographic scene selected by a user belongs, among the plurality of photographic scenes, as a target of use.

19. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13,

the imaging device further comprises a forming mechanism which forms new imaging conditions according to the plurality of imaging conditions selected by the user by the selection control mechanism;

the setting means sets the plurality of shooting conditions selected by the selection control means by the user and the new shooting condition formed by the forming means as the shooting conditions for still image shooting controlled by the continuous shooting control means.

20. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 19,

the selection control means allows the user to select a shooting scene constituting a basic scene and a shooting scene constituting a related scene from among the plurality of shooting scenes;

the forming means forms a new shooting condition based on the shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected as the basic scene and the shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected as the related scene.

21. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

further comprising:

a condition recording unit that records a plurality of imaging scenes and a plurality of imaging conditions in association with each other;

an obtaining mechanism that obtains: scene specifying information formed from image information included in an image of a subject captured by the imaging means and/or a capturing environment at the time of capturing the image of the subject;

a search means for searching for a plurality of imaging conditions from among the plurality of imaging conditions stored in the imaging condition storage means, based on the scene specifying information obtained by the obtaining means;

the setting means sets the plurality of imaging conditions retrieved by the retrieval means to a plurality of imaging conditions suitable for continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control means.

22. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 21,

the image processing apparatus further includes a condition number limiting unit configured to limit the number of the plurality of imaging conditions retrieved by the retrieving unit to a number preset by a user.

23. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a sample image storage unit that stores a plurality of sample images corresponding to the plurality of imaging conditions, respectively;

a sample image display control unit that displays any sample image stored in the sample image storage unit on the display unit;

the setting means sets, as the imaging condition for the still image imaging controlled by the continuous shooting control means, an imaging condition corresponding to a sample image selected by the user among arbitrary sample images displayed by the sample image display means.

24. A continuous photographing method is characterized in that,

the method comprises the following steps:

a setting step of setting shooting conditions for a plurality of still image shots, respectively;

a continuous shooting control step of performing still image shooting a plurality of times at different times based on the respective different shooting conditions set in the setting step;

a recording control step of recording each image data obtained by each still image photographing performed at different timings in the continuous shooting control step.

25. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer included in an imaging apparatus including imaging means for imaging a subject and recording means for recording image data to function as: namely, it is

A setting unit configured to set a plurality of imaging conditions for imaging the subject by the imaging unit;

a continuous shooting control mechanism which controls the following modes: the camera shooting mechanism carries out a plurality of times of still image shooting at different times according to different shooting conditions set by the setting mechanism;

a recording control mechanism which controls as follows: that is, the recording means records the image data obtained by the still image photographing performed by the image pickup means at a different timing from the continuous shooting control means.

26. An image pickup apparatus, characterized by comprising:

an image pickup mechanism for picking up an image of an object;

a condition recording unit that records a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance;

a single-shot control unit for controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording unit;

a selection unit configured to select a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes;

a forming unit configured to form a plurality of new imaging conditions based on a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging scenes selected by the selecting unit;

a continuous shooting control unit for controlling continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed by the forming unit;

and an image storage control unit that records a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

27. A continuous shooting method for an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject and a condition recording device for recording a plurality of shooting conditions respectively corresponding to a plurality of shooting scenes registered in advance,

the method comprises the following steps:

a single-shot control step of controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording means;

a selection step of selecting a plurality of photographic scenes from the plurality of photographic scenes;

a forming step of forming a plurality of new photographing conditions based on a plurality of photographing conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of photographing scenes selected in the selecting step;

a continuous shooting control step of controlling continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed in the forming step;

and an image storage control step of controlling recording of the still image obtained by the imaging means at the time of the single-shot shooting in the single-shot control step and the plurality of still images obtained by the imaging means at the time of the continuous shooting in the continuous shooting control step.

28. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer provided in an imaging apparatus, the computer including imaging means for imaging a subject, condition recording means for recording a plurality of imaging conditions corresponding to a plurality of imaging scenes registered in advance, and selection means for selecting a plurality of imaging scenes from the plurality of imaging scenes, to function as: namely, it is

A single-shot control unit for controlling single-shot shooting based on the shooting conditions corresponding to 1 shooting scene stored in the condition recording unit;

a forming unit configured to form a plurality of new imaging conditions based on a plurality of imaging conditions respectively corresponding to the plurality of imaging scenes selected by the selecting unit;

a continuous shooting control unit that controls continuous shooting based on the plurality of shooting conditions formed by the forming unit;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during continuous shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

29. An image pickup apparatus is characterized in that,

the image pickup apparatus includes:

an image pickup mechanism for picking up an image of an object;

a condition recording means for recording 1 st and 2 nd imaging conditions corresponding to imaging scenes in a plurality of sets;

a selection control means for allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of shooting scenes;

a single-shot control unit configured to control single-shot shooting based on a 1 st shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user by the selection control unit, the single-shot shooting condition being recorded in the condition recording unit;

a continuous shooting control unit that controls the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user by the selection control unit, which is stored in the condition recording unit;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during boundary shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.

30. A continuous shooting method of an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device that picks up an image of a subject and a condition recording device that records 1 st and 2 nd shooting conditions corresponding to a shooting scene in a plurality of sets, the method comprising:

a selection control step in which a user selects an arbitrary photographic scene from a plurality of photographic scenes;

a single-shot control step of controlling single-shot shooting based on a 1 st shooting condition recorded in the condition recording means and corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user in the selection control step;

a continuous shooting control step of controlling the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition recorded in the condition recording means and corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user in the selection control step;

and an image storage control step of controlling recording of the still image obtained by the imaging means at the time of the single-shot shooting in the single-shot control step and the plurality of still images obtained by the imaging means at the time of the delimiting shooting in the continuous shooting control step.

31. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer included in an imaging apparatus including imaging means for imaging a subject and condition recording means for recording 1 st and 2 nd imaging conditions corresponding to imaging scenes in a plurality of sets to function as:

a single-shot control means for controlling single-shot shooting based on the 1 st shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user stored in the condition recording means;

a continuous shooting control means for controlling the delimiting shooting based on the 2 nd shooting condition corresponding to the shooting scene selected by the user stored in the condition recording means;

and an image storage control unit that controls recording of a still image obtained by the imaging unit during single-shot shooting by the single-shot control unit and recording of a plurality of still images obtained by the imaging unit during boundary shooting by the continuous shooting control unit.